Australians and P.I.B. Confront the Japanese

The first clash with the Japanese in the Kokoda region occurred at Awala on 23 July 1942. A small force from the PIB (Papuan Infantry Battalion), under the command of Major William Watson, (Australian Army) made contact with the Japanese. After being forced back, Watson's force withdrew across the Kumusi River, destroying the footbridge that spanned it as they departed.

At this time, B Company from the 39th Battalion was in the vicinity of Kokoda and Gorari. at the time of this initial clash. Their commander, Captain Sam Templeton had received news of the Japanese landings and had sent a platoon forward to reinforce Watson and they began engaging the Japanese from the far side of the river. Once engaged in battle, hundreds of Japanese began crossing the river under a barrage of mortar and machine gun fire. The combined force of PIB and 39th Battalion members was soon compelled to withdraw.

They fell back only a few miles to a point where Captain Templeton was located, he was commanding a force of some sixty men drawn from 11 and 12 Platoons from B Company plus some soldiers from the PIB.

Templeton had set up an ambush with two Lewis guns, assorted small arms and grenades as his only armament. It was hoped this force could halt or slow the advancing force of about 500 Japanese that were pushing forward from the beach head. The ambush was relatively successful in that it slowed the Japanese however the Australians were once again forced to withdrawal this time via a roundabout route to the village of Deniki.

Captain Sam Templeton was lost during this engagement, the member was declared missing presumed killed by Japanese forces in the vicinity of the village of Oivi. Captain Templeton’s whereabouts and actual fate are still unknown.